Improvement in match-boxes



A. ROMAIN. Match-Box,

No. 213,693. Patented Mar. 25, 1879".

N.FETF.RS, FNOTO-LITHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D 04 UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

ADOLPHE ROMAIN, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MATCH-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,693, dated March 25, 1879; application filed April 16, 1878; patented in France, February 20, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LADOLPHE ROMAIN, of the city of Paris, in the Republic of France, have invented an Improved Match-Box, automatically lighting the matches, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is to ignite the matches contained in a box, singly and as required, automatically by a simple and effective method.

The box may have any form that taste may suggest, and be constructed of any suitable substance-metal, chin a, earthenware, or other matter. In the accompanying drawings it is shaped like a castle.

Figure 1 represents a vertical elevation of an automatic match-lighter, and Fig. 2 a section of the same.

The box consists of the foot A and bottom plate, B. On this latter, and secured to its center, is a vertical and cylindrical tube, 0, in whose middle is a fixed shaft, 1), and surrounding which is a spiral or other spring, which maintains the match-holder H (which is a second cylindrical body) always in a vertical position. The top of the match-holder terminates in a movable and conical ,cap, K, the center being pierced for the single exit of the matches, and is furnished either with teeth or some frictional or roughened surface, for igniting the matches in their passage through the aperture.

The action. of the apparatus is as follows: The holder H is filled with matches by removing the conical cap K. It is then replaced, and the box is ready for action. On pressing down the column or cylinder containing the matches it slides into the lower cylinder, de. pressing the spring, and causing the protrudin g end of the shaft D to force a match through the opening I of the cap K, where it is ignited by the rough surface or teeth at this point.

Both the top and bottom of the upper cylinder, H, are conical, so that the .matches contained in this holder must alwayskeep this form, one always resting on the upper and protruding end of the shaft D, so that a simple depression of the' upper into the lower cylinder will always force a single match through the top K of the holder H, and there ignite it, as shown by the drawings, Fig. 1.

The cylinder or match-holder H is prevented from leaving the cylinder 0 by bending up its edge F, so as to catch on the rim or cap G, fixed at the head of the cylinder 0.

Inside the foot or pedestal A a bell, L, may be placed, and would be of use in many cases, especially in hotels, &c.

I claim as my invention-- 1. The reciprocating match-holder H, having the conical top, with open toothed apex, and the bottom flange, F, in combination with the base-top, having the cap or catch G, substantially as described.

2. The reciprocating sheet metal matchholder H, having the flange F, in combination with the base-top, having the annular cap or catch G, substantially as described.

ADOLPHE ROMAIN.

Witnesses:

ROBT. M. HOOPER, E. HEBRE. 

